Chapter 484

Hmph! He didn’t want me anymore, but he was still playing these games. Clearly, he still had feelings for me. Maybe Lena was right—I needed to play my cards right.

“Mr. Shane, I’ve got plans tonight, but let’s do dinner tomorrow,” I offered, keeping it casual.

Ron’s face lit up. “Great! Sounds perfect. Hayden, you in for tomorrow?”

“I’m busy,” Hayden replied, ice-cold, shutting it down.

Ron looked like he might argue, but I jumped in. “Mr. Shane, I’m taking you somewhere tomorrow that you’ve never been.”

“Really?” Ron raised a brow. “Someplace I haven’t been? Has Hayden?”

He never missed a chance to rope Hayden in. I knew why—Ron was terrified of crossing him, knowing Hayden was the true heir to the Hart family empire.

Just then, the elevator arrived, and Hayden strode out without a glance at Ron.

Ron glanced between us, looking like he wanted to say something, but switched gears quickly. “Ms. Kay, I might not survive until tomorrow at this rate,” he joked, hurrying after Hayden.

I couldn’t help but smirk, my sour mood lifted a bit.

When I got home, I immediately called Steve on video. As the screen connected, I heard Jace in the background. “Steve, hurry up. Everyone’s waiting.”

“It’s Keira,” Steve said, and everything on his end went silent. Steve’s playful smile faded into something more serious. His first words were, “I’ve heard everything.”

I gave a small smile. “I’m fine, really. Back at work, everything’s normal.”

“It’s my fault. I put you through this,” Steve said, guilt heavy in his voice.

“If you say that, you’re treating me like a stranger.” I paused, then added, “Congrats on clearing your name.”

Steve went quiet for a second. “I owe that to Hayden. When I’m back, dinner’s on me, for both of you.”

Jace clearly hadn’t mentioned my breakup with Hayden, and I wasn’t about to bring it up. Steve already felt bad enough, and knowing that part of the reason I broke things off was because of everything surrounding him would just make it worse.

“Deal. But I’m picking the spot. We’re doing Seavora—only the best,” I said, keeping it light. The more casual I was, the less guilty he’d feel.

Steve nodded, studying me through the screen. “How are you really? Any lingering pain?”

“No, none. I’m eating, drinking, working full days,” I replied. But I caught his eyes flick to the side—he was looking at Jace.

With a little exasperation, Steve added, “You’re rushing back to work too soon. Why don’t you take more time off? If you’re worried about money, I’ll cover it.”

I raised a brow. “Money? Seriously?”

Steve chuckled, then gave me a playful scolding. “You’re not short on cash, so why overwork yourself?”

Knowing Jace could hear, I smiled. “Because there’s someone at work I want to see.”

Steve’s gaze darted to the side again, then he nodded, catching on. “Ah, the power of love. Looks like Hayden’s got you wrapped around his finger.”

“More like he’s just seriously committed to me,” I said, making sure Jace got the message loud and clear. No matter what Hayden and I were dealing with, I didn’t want anyone thinking they had a shot or could twist the situation.

“Got it, got it. Even through a screen, you’re still making me gag with all this sweetness,” Steve said, grinning.

Despite everything, he seemed in good spirits, not too weighed down by recent events.

“Are you still planning to compete?” I asked, steering the conversation to something more serious. For Steve, his career was everything.

He hesitated for a second. “Yes.”

That one word was firm, but I could hear a bit of doubt. I knew how much thought he’d put into that decision. After everything he’d been through, there were still people out there trying to stop him. If they’d gone that far before, who’s to say they wouldn’t try again?

“I’ll be there for your next match,” I promised, my voice steady.

Chapter 405